Faulkner (1-5-1, 0-1 SSAC) fell 6-0 to second-ranked William Carey (8-1, 1-0 SSAC) Thursday night at Billy D. Hilyer Stadium in both sides Southern States Athletic Conference opener after a promising start by conceding five goals in a 23 minute span.

The Lady Eagles held off the dynamic Lady Crusaders attack for 30 minutes, until Shantel Thompson got her head to Kelly Stubbington's corner that just missed the outstretched fist of Rakeema Najiy and found the back of the net.

Thompson doubled her scoring and the guests advantage in the 42nd minute when she slid home a ball from Valeria Miranda. Ana Paula Santos added the third in the 44th minute after dribbling past a handful of Faulkner defenders. Jamie Holifield scored in the 45th minute to set the score at 4-0 at the break. Alex Musial made no mistake on Anni Rusanen's through ball to increase the lead to 5-0 in the 53rd. Caitlyn White finalized the scoreline in the 78th with a screaming shot to the far post from outside the box.

Najiy (1-5-1) made seven saves, several in tight quarters, in the loss. 

Despite the scoreline, the Lady Eagles have a lot of good to take away from this contest. They played with confidence and tenacious defense until the first goal fell and William Carey ignited.

Faulkner will look to rebound against 16th-ranked Mobile Saturday night at 5 p.m.